BYU student begins puppy renting business in Provo

I'm against it but I'm wrong. I mean I agree with them, but they
shouldn't be doing it. Hmmm, this is a tough one. Their cute puppyhood
could be used up by exploiters and then it is too late for them to find a home.
So far, maybe not, but that is what this could slip into and probably will if
there is some real money to be made.

SpikeyLayton, UT

Dec. 16, 2012 3:16 p.m.

I am no animal rights activist, but I am a professional pet groomer, who works
with dogs day in, and day out. One thing I can say I am an 'expert'
at is knowing the difference between stable and unstable dogs. The stable dogs
are groomed frequently, and on a routine at home and at my salon.

Dogs who do not have routine, but whose lives are filled with chaos, who are
not on a routine of any kind, are the dogs who really struggle with
grooming---and with so many other things. Routine is very good for dogs, and
taking them from home to home, well, I don't know about that. I do agree
it would help with socialization. I work with show dogs and the dogs that have
gone on to travel with handlers are the BEST to hang out with---so very social,
happy, and they don't care if you're "mom" or somebody else,
they like you regardless. But they are still on a routine lifestyle.

jill17Salt Lake City, UT

Dec. 16, 2012 11:47 a.m.

Nice work des news getting your quotes from abc 4. Its not hard to track. Online
mail article states it got it from abc 2, and abc 2 got it frm its sister
station abc 4 in salt lake from a week ago. ...I understand an outlet overseas
copying a quote, bu you're a local paper. You couldn't call carl arky
and jenna yourself to get a fresh story and quotes? Very unethical.

SLC galSalt Lake City, UT

Dec. 14, 2012 11:16 a.m.

I'm glad there are actual adoptions forming from this because guess what?
Puppies grow into dogs!What happens in the event of a dog that nobody wants? I
find this business somewhat appalling.

Sophie 62spring city, UT

Dec. 14, 2012 10:58 a.m.

Kind of looks like the people who are opposed to this idea did not read the
whole article.The only negative I can see is that the business owner loses
control of the puppies for the time they're rented and cannot predict that
the renters will know what to do with a fractious puppy. However, that is
true of anyone who sells or rents out an animal. Otherwise it looks like a
really creative way to place puppies in homes that they might not otherwise have
and socialize them at the same time.I am in favor of animal rights and
I'm also practical. Too many puppies, not enough homes.If this is a
kind way to help solve that problem, I'm in favor of it.Charging a
little rent helps cover the cost of keeping these little dogs, feeding, shots,
and shelter. I think it's great, as long as the renters treat the little
guys right.

rnoblePendleton, OR

Dec. 14, 2012 8:24 a.m.

Some might say that what the "Humane" society does is abuse. All those
operations to prevent additional procreation.

My experience with
pets from the farm at home was that those pets that had a lot of handling as
babies were much more friendly as adults with one exception. That one had been
truly abused by a toddler and the experience ended the interaction for her with
humans of all ages and genders. She became world class mean and nasty.

Just saying 7BLOOMINGTON, IN

Dec. 14, 2012 7:17 a.m.

One concern I have is that this business needs to breed dogs to have puppies
old enough to play with during finals. What happens to the puppies after
finals? And people, just because a puppy is physically mature to be homed at 8
weeks, staying with mom until 16 weeks is best for socialization. Reputable
breeders won't let you have their AKC pups before then. After 8 weeks is
when puppies just begin to comprehend disciplining that dog moms do best. So
many discipline issues with dogs arise because puppies are homed too early.
Dog mom did not have a chance to teach them right from wrong dog behavior.

BGuyFalls Church, VA

Dec. 13, 2012 6:44 p.m.

So what is the Humane Society's idea then? Let the puppies live in a
kennel at the humane society until they get put down?

chinssminneapolis, MN

Dec. 13, 2012 5:22 p.m.

two questions people should ask; 1. Is she buying these returned puppies from
breeders or puppy sellers? If so, she is helping over-breeding pet breeders
therefore contributing to the homeless dog problems. 2. Why is it called
adoption when the business is for profit? In that case, aren't all pet
sales to consumers called adoption?

Down underPullman, WA

Dec. 13, 2012 5:21 p.m.

I disagree with the Humans Society. Puppies and even mature dogs adjust very to
a loving home even if it is for a short time. I have adopted several dogs of all
ages and within a day or so they are right at home.

Let's give
some credit to a person that had a great idea and is also helping put people and
pets together.

LindonManLindon, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 12:41 p.m.

Puppies in my living room for a couple of hours? And it angers the Animal
"Rights" people? Sounds like a win-win situation to me!

SoCalChrisRiverside, CA

Dec. 13, 2012 12:39 p.m.

Someone would actually rent a puppy for an hour for $15?? I have to admit,
puppies were a great way to meet girls when I was single, but still . . .

Carl ArkyMurray, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 12:17 p.m.

What has the Humane Society of Utah done lately? As a non-profit organization
which receives no funding from tax payers and turns no animal away, the HSU
finds homes for more than 7,000 animals a year. Our vets perform 11,000 spay
& neuter surgeries per year and administer 60,000 vaccinations. But the crux
of this matter is the practice of "renting" puppies ... a for profit
enterprise which seems to place a higher priority on making money than ensuring
the health, safety & well being of animals. Placing puppies in the care of
numerous people during a formative stage of life when they need a stable
environment and are highly susceptible to illness is not in the best interest of
these animals. Everything possible should be done to keep them out of harms
way. The potential risk for abuse is far too great. They are not inanimate
objects to be passed around and used as a play toy...but living creatures who
need to be cared for. For anyone who truly wishes to learn about owning a dog,
it costs nothing to volunteer at a shelter and help dogs who truly need your
time and attention.

runnerchrisSouthern, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 11:56 a.m.

I think this is a great entrepreneurial idea. College students always could use
a few extra bucks. The humane society has some valid concerns though. But as
someone who knows Jenna personally, these puppies will be well taken care of and
not exploited. Its no different than visiting the animal shelter and helping
them out. The humane society is just worried because they don't have
control of the situation.

WillTheWolfSALT LAKE CITY, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 10:48 a.m.

This is neither a new nor novel business idea. There have been many similar
ventures or proposals in cities from New York to Los Angeles but usually the
proprietor doesn't get a business license approved primarily due to the
exploitation of the puppies and the possible issue of what to do with the
puppies once they are no longer cute & adorable. My friend and I tried to
open up this same business 10 years ago in Chicago and were denied the required
business license because of that explanation. From an immoral, capitalist
perspective, its a great idea . . . but once you step away from the purely
money-making part of the idea and see that this country has an enormous problem
trying to place unwanted & abandoned animals in homes . .. then you really
see why this business is just wrong.

Also . . . I agree with
Screwdriver that someone will try to start renting out babies soon, & that
idea will also be shut-down in most places but who knows, Utah may approve of
it.

Brother WolfSalt Lake City, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 9:12 a.m.

RE: arand

Is your name short for Ayn Rand? Probably since you admire
starting businesses, and since you live in Huntsville, World Capital for
Business.

arandHuntsville, u

Dec. 13, 2012 8:48 a.m.

Great idea. Don't listen to all of the naysayers, they are just jealous and
probably too lazy to start a business anyway. As for the Humane
Society?----What have they done lately?

The old nagKaysville, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 8:46 a.m.

I too have to agree with the Humane Society. This isn't good for the
puppies. They are at an age when they need to establish their own bonds and to
be constantly shoveled from person to person is really not good for their
development. Good that this girl wantsto be progressive and start her own
business, but it shouldn't be done exploiting theselittle
dogs....look for something else to do.

EvetsEagle Mountain, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 7:56 a.m.

Wonderful idea. Students often don't have transportation or time to go to
the local Humane Society to play with the puppies. Here they are delivered and
picked up. It adds flexibility too. What if the puppy were part of a plan for a
date, like picnic in the park or something. Sounds like the puppies are well
cared for and they are finding homes for them. As long as this does not turn in
to a puppy mill outlet I am for it. I am glad that students are still finding
ways to start businesses.

AggieloveCache county, USA

Dec. 13, 2012 7:37 a.m.

Lame idea.It will never work.And it's just to much work for
that amount of money...

MaxCharlotte, NC

Dec. 13, 2012 6:24 a.m.

At first I didn't like the idea but as I read further into the article I
liked it more and more. Living on a farm isn't a bad place to be until
adopted.

Gosh-DUHBurlington, CT

Dec. 13, 2012 6:15 a.m.

If students need or want time with a dog or puppy, why not volunteer at a local
humane society or animal shelter? the dogs there would appreciate the human
contact time, going for walks, and playing with the student. and it
wouldn't cost the student anything but time. I think a rent a pup concept
is weird.

Bill ShakespeareSalt Lake City, UT

Dec. 13, 2012 4:43 a.m.

Good to see these wealthy young geniuses can now study AND have their way with a
couple puppies for an hour to put a smile on their face. And then what? Its
"shoo, shoo" to the doggies. Anything for a quick buck, I guess. Poor
puppies. Good thing they're not renting older dogs. Who wants them, anyway.

ScrewdriverCasa Grande, AZ

Dec. 13, 2012 4:42 a.m.

No, I'm going to use the conservative slippery slope argument and contend
that there will be people wanting to rent babies by next year.

Insert moral depravty ect ect cats marrying dogs, mayhem insues.

I'll call my oppositiion affront propsition 9.

junkgeekAgua Dulce, TX

Dec. 13, 2012 2:05 a.m.

A business owner not worried about if experts have concerns? Typical.

The RockFederal Way, WA

Dec. 12, 2012 11:25 p.m.

I would never rent a puppy because I deem it to be a foolish waste of money.
Others don't feel that way. The puppies are well cared for and they are
finding good homes that really want them. Good for them.

Renting a
puppy is a better use of money than buying a pet rock. I didn't buy one of
those either.

Kyle loves BYU/JazzProvo, UT

Dec. 12, 2012 11:17 p.m.

I would think the Humane society would support it. It's giving people a
chance to know how much work it is to have a puppy before they adopt or buy one
and decide they don't have enough time or money for it. It sounds like she
has had an awful lot of success so far with taking good care of them and finding
good homes.

Juan FiguroaSeattle, WA

Dec. 12, 2012 9:31 p.m.

Things that are not the same: Puppies, Babies.

Puppies never know
their fathers, and leave their mommies at eight weeks without anyone blinking an
eye.

This may surprise the dog-obsessed, but babies don't
actually leave home until they're 18 years old. And then, only if their
parents are lucky.

This is a brilliant undertaking, the dogs are
being well socialized, and stop comparing dogs to babies. Sheesh.

ScrewdriverCasa Grande, AZ

Dec. 12, 2012 9:22 p.m.

Eeeeh, sounds good at first but would you rent out a baby like that?

How about just going to a pet store or animal shelter and playing with one of
those dogs for a little while? There's just already a lot of animals that
need it. Or borrow a puppy to take to a hospital to help patients. Rent? No.

This just seems like another ridiculous thing Americans would do and
people in Ghana wouldn't believe.

ScouterMidvale, UT

Dec. 12, 2012 9:12 p.m.

I have to agree with the Utah Humane Society on this one. I find it disturbing
and unhealthy for the puppies.